North Carolina has a vibrant alcohol industry, with a thriving craft beer scene, an expanding wine industry, and a growing community of local distilleries. The state's alcohol laws can be tricky to navigate, and they vary across counties and cities. For example, some areas are dry, some are moist, and some are wet. In North Carolina, you can buy beer and wine at grocery stores, but liquor is only available at state-run stores (ABC stores). Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays until noon, and ABC stores are closed on Sundays. The legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21, and it is illegal for retailers to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under this age.
What You'll Learn
Beer can be purchased at grocery stores and gas stations
In terms of when beer can be purchased, North Carolina law restricts the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Beer sales are prohibited before noon on Sundays, and state-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays. However, recent changes to the "brunch bill" have allowed local governments to permit stores to begin selling alcohol at 10 am on Sundays. This change was made to accommodate the demand for alcoholic beverages during Sunday brunch.
Additionally, there are specific hours during which beer can be sold on the other days of the week. Beer can be purchased from 7 am to 2 am, Monday through Saturday. These hours apply to both grocery stores and gas stations that sell beer. It is important to note that local laws and regulations may vary across counties and cities within North Carolina, and some areas may have more restrictive laws regarding the sale of alcohol.
North Carolina has a vibrant alcohol industry, with a thriving craft beer scene. The state also boasts an expanding wine industry and a growing community of local distilleries. However, it is important to be aware of and comply with the state's unique set of laws and regulations regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol.
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Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays
In North Carolina, liquor stores are closed on Sundays, and the sale of beer and wine is prohibited before noon. However, in 2017, the Brunch Bill was passed, allowing local governments to permit stores to begin selling alcohol at 10 am on Sundays. Cities that have passed local ordinances permitting the sale of alcohol at 10 am on Sundays include Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, and unincorporated Mecklenburg County.
The Brunch Bill has faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum, with critics arguing that it could result in more drunk driving and saturate the state with alcohol. However, the bill has been supported by the restaurant and hotel industry, which has prioritized the ability to serve alcoholic beverages to guests before 12:01 pm on Sundays.
In addition to the prohibition of alcohol sales on Sundays, North Carolina has several other strict alcohol laws. For example, it is illegal to sell alcohol between 2:00 am and 7:00 am, and bars are permitted to sell alcohol until 2:00 am. It is also illegal to consume alcoholic beverages from 2:30 am to 7:00 am in any place with a permit to serve alcohol. North Carolina also prohibits happy hours and certain drink specials or promotions, such as two-for-one deals or buy-one-get-one-free offers.
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Alcohol sales are prohibited before 7 a.m. and after 2 a.m
These laws are in place to prevent drunk driving and to observe the Christian Sabbath. North Carolina is what is known as a control state, where the sale of alcohol is strictly regulated and enforced by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
The hours during which alcohol can be sold vary across the state's counties and towns. Some are "dry", some are "moist", and some are "wet". This means that in some places, alcohol is prohibited altogether.
In North Carolina, you can buy beer and wine at grocery stores, but liquor is only available at state-run stores (ABC stores). ABC stores are closed on Sundays, and beer and wine cannot be sold before noon on Sundays. However, some local governments have passed ordinances permitting the sale of alcohol at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
It is illegal to buy alcohol, or attempt to buy it, if you are under 21. It is also illegal for those under 21 to drive with any alcohol in their blood. The only legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for them is 0.00%.
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Alcohol cannot be consumed between 2:30 a.m. and 7 a.m
Alcohol laws in North Carolina prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages between 2:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. in any place with a permit to sell alcohol. This means that patrons cannot be served or drink alcohol during these hours, and licensed venues are responsible for enforcing this. This restriction is in place to prevent overconsumption and promote responsible drinking.
The cut-off time for purchasing alcohol in North Carolina is 2 a.m. every day except Sunday, when it is prohibited to buy alcohol before noon. This restriction on Sunday morning alcohol sales is a remnant of the state's "Blue Laws", which historically enforced the observation of the Christian Sabbath. While North Carolina's Blue Laws have been relaxed in recent years, the sale of alcohol on Sundays is still restricted.
The specific laws regarding alcohol sales and consumption vary across North Carolina's counties and cities. Some areas are dry, meaning they prohibit alcohol sales entirely, while others are moist or wet, indicating varying levels of restriction. These local laws can be more restrictive than state law, so it is important to be aware of the regulations in the specific area you are in.
The minimum age to consume, possess, or purchase alcohol in North Carolina is 21 years old. It is illegal for retailers to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under this age, including adults aged 18, 19, and 20. There are no exceptions to this law, even for those serving in the military. Additionally, it is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone who is already intoxicated.
North Carolina has a vibrant alcohol industry, with a thriving craft beer scene, an expanding wine industry, and a growing community of local distilleries. However, as a control state, the sale and distribution of alcohol are strictly regulated by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. This includes the operation of state-run ABC stores, which are the exclusive sellers of packaged liquor for off-premises consumption.
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You must be 21 to purchase or consume alcohol in North Carolina
In North Carolina, you must be 21 or over to purchase or consume alcohol. This is a state with strict alcohol laws, and these apply equally to residents and visitors.
North Carolina's alcohol laws can vary between counties and cities, and some are dry, some are moist, and some are wet. It is therefore important to be aware of local variations. However, across the state, you must be 21 or over to legally buy or consume alcohol. It is also illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any alcohol in their blood—the only legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for them is 0.00%.
North Carolina's alcohol laws make no exceptions for consuming alcohol under the age of 21. This means that even at a wedding, it is illegal for 20-year-old newlyweds to share a glass of Champagne at their reception. There are no exceptions for religious ceremonies either. It is illegal for an adult under 21 to take communion wine or wine at a Seder.
It is also illegal to help anyone under 21 obtain alcohol. This includes buying or giving them alcohol, or lending them your ID so they can buy it. It is also illegal for parents, ministers, or doctors to give or administer even a tiny amount of alcohol to anyone under 21.
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Frequently asked questions
You must be 21 to purchase or consume alcohol in North Carolina. It is illegal for any retailer to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21.
Beer can be purchased at grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations in North Carolina. Beer is available for purchase from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and after 12 p.m. on Sundays.
Yes, it is now legal to order alcohol, including beer, online in North Carolina.